Why Retirement Anxiety Is Rising and What Planning Can Do
- November 21, 2025
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
Retirement planning has always required uncertainty management. But in 2025, that uncertainty is showing up as something more direct: anxiety. A recent national study from Allianz Life found that many Americans worry more about running out of money than death—a signal that retirement confidence is being tested by today’s economic environment.
Why “Outliving Your Money” Feels More Real
Concerns about inflation, market swings, and longer lifespans have pushed retirement risk to the forefront. Even households that have saved diligently can feel unsettled when everyday costs rise, financial headlines change quickly, and retirement timelines stretch longer than expected.
The challenge isn’t just the size of a nest egg. It’s the predictability of income.
Retirement Planning Needs an Income Framework
Many people approach retirement with a “portfolio balance” mindset. But what typically reduces anxiety is an “income” mindset—understanding where monthly spending will come from and how dependable each income source will be.
That includes mapping out:
- What portion of expenses must be covered consistently
- Which income sources are reliable versus variable
- How withdrawals may change if markets drop or expenses rise
Longevity Risk Often Goes Underestimated
One reason retirement fear grows is that many people underestimate how long retirement can last. Longer retirements increase exposure to multiple risks at once—market cycles, healthcare cost changes, and spending needs that evolve over decades.
When planning assumes a shorter timeline, income strategies can become fragile later in life.
How Planning Can Reduce the “What If?” Spiral
In practice, fear often comes from gaps: uncertainty about how much can be spent, uncertainty about what happens in a down market, and uncertainty about how to adjust when life changes. A clear income plan replaces some of that uncertainty with structure.
The goal is not to predict every outcome. The goal is to build a plan that can stay consistent through changing conditions.
Source: Allianz Life / Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement. Original press release published April 22, 2025.
Read the original release.
Foxcove Insight
This update reflects broader themes we monitor closely for our clients — including retirement income stability, planning under changing market conditions, and the importance of aligning financial decisions with long-term goals.
At Foxcove Financial, we focus on strategies that support a confident retirement:
- Creating reliable income that supports your lifestyle
- Reducing the impact of market swings and longevity risk
- Using IRS rules, account types, and insured IRA options effectively
- Coordinating income sources so your plan stays consistent year-to-year
If you’re considering how today’s financial developments may affect your retirement income strategy, Foxcove Financial can help you evaluate insured IRA solutions and fixed annuity options that align with your goals.